And the bad blood between the pair reportedly resurfaced in a clash in the tunnel after the final whistle blew in United’s 3-2 win.

Shawcross was cautioned at the interval for barging into Van Persie after the players were leaving the pitch following the first 45 minutes at Old Trafford.

"Ryan was booked in the dressing room. The referee made a point of knocking on the door and booking him. I've no idea why,” Stoke manager Mark Hughes said in the Daily Star.

"He pushed him [Van Persie] I think, but I've no idea because I didn't see the incident. But he wanted to book Ryan. I've never known anyone get booked in the dressing room before."

A further incident followed when Shawcross was doing a post-match interview -- Van Persie is alleged to have said something to him, before the England international called on him to explain his comments.

Van Persie’s bad relationship with Stoke dates back to his Arsenal days. The Netherlands international was sent off at the Britannia Stadium in 2008 for a high challenge on Thomas Sorensen and was playing in the 2010 clash when Shawcross broke Gunners midfielder Aaron Ramsey’s leg.